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'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.' - author Jackie French

Tuesday, 17 September 2013

Shout Out: Black Tengu: Book 8 in the Samurai Kids Series

I have long-adored Sandy Fussell's brilliant Samurai Kids series and it's thrilling to see Book Eight appear--Black Tengu. Sandy writes amazing stories, with such a fluid, evocative writer's voice.

Her characters, most especially Niya, her one-legged boy training to become a great samurai warrior, are beautifully-honed and full of depth, and her action scenes masterful. But it's the quiet, meaningful, zen-like story components that really set these books apart from other action series. I so love the 'quiet' between the words.

Rhian Nest James has continued to provide lustrous illustrations, occasionally peppered through the book, that perfectly capture the spirit of the Samurai warriors.

The Samurai Kids are finally back in Japan. But not at their ryu in the
Tateyama Mountains. Instead, Sensei has taken them to the snowy lands of
Ezo - the place of his birth. The place where Sensei must face his
demons and right the terrible wrong that has tormented him.

Will Niya
have the courage to help Sensei as he promised? Is Sensei really a black
Tengu?

The eighth and final installment in a unique series about a special group of kids training in the ways of the samurai. For kids 9+ (and adults, too).